Trullo

Trullo (in plural trulli) is a traditional building with a conical roof. It is typical for the Itria Valley (Valle d'Itria) in the southeastern Italian region of Apulia (Puglia). Trullo was used for dwelling and storing. They were built without cement or mortar. This fact enabled the builder to avoid payment of taxes. Trulli were common on the landscape with numerous fields separated by dry-stone walls. In the town of Alberobello people traditionally put a pinnacle on top of each trullo. Such a pinnacle vary in its appearance and usually has some symbolic meaning. People often painted different symbols on the conical roof itself. These symbols are planets, the evil eye (“malocchio”), a cross, a heart, a star and a crescent etc.

Trullo – traditional building of the Italian Apulia region

Walls of trullo are very thick. In summer people won't feel the heat and in the winter walls will serve as an inslulator from the cold weather. In almost all cases every trullo has only one room. That is why you can often see several trulli connected together. Nowadays many trulli are arranged for tourists. Trulli are part of the UNESCO world heritage programme. It is interesting to mention that some trulli exist in the Rheinhessen (Rhine-Hesse) wine region located in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. They served as huts for local vineyard workers in the 18th century.